Sports
Super Eagles revive AFCON qualification hopes with 3-0 win over Seychelles
Super Eagles of Nigeria bounced back from last year’s defeat to South Africa to thrash Seychelles 3-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier in Victoria on Saturday.
The Nigerian men revived their hopes of qualifying for the Cameroon 2019 tournament with the victory, having lost 2-0 to South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the opening game last year.
Ahmed Musa, who served as captain of the team in the absence of Mikel Obi, put Nigeria ahead in the 15th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box, as the ball hit the woodwork and bounced on the Seychelles keeper’s foot into the net.
Read Also: Super Eagles aim to score ‘lot of goals’ against Seychelles
The Eagles doubled their lead in the 34th minute when a free kick was taken by Kelechi Iheanacho, whose shot hit the post and Chidozie Awaziem finished off the rebound.
Odion Ighalo added the third from the penalty spot after Awaziem was brought down in the Seychelles box. The Chines-based striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-0 about 12 minutes into the second half.
Samuel Kalu and Semi Ajayi made their debuts for the team. While Kalu was included in starting line-up, Ajayi came in for injured Awaziem as a 73rd-minute substitute.
The other game of the group between South Africa and Libya was still on play as at the time this story was published.
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